Transcriptomics:
That said, sometimes more than one gene that might be found in more than one type of bacteria can have the same function — that is, produce the same metabolite — in the gut. That means to really understand the effects of the gut microbiome, you don’t just need to identify bacteria; you need to know what they’re up to. For this reason, [USDA molecular biologist Mary] Kable’s lab group at the USDA in California is turning to a method called transcriptomics, which, instead of identifying bacteria, identifies the bacteria’s active genes. She’s using this information as part of her big-picture approach to studying how healthy people can stay healthy and prevent disease. The end goal: personalized nutrition plans. [“Stomachache? Your Gut Bacteria Might Be to Blame,” Anna Funk, Discover (July/August, 2020)]
Genes are modulated by the epigenome, but they never mention that in the article. I wonder how they measure and compensate for that effect.
